CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTH CARE

Canada has an aging population. As Canadians age, it is putting tremendous pressure on the health care sector which will continue to require more and more health care workers for the foreseeable future.

Personal Support Workers play an important role in providing care to the elderly. Most PSW graduates work in retirement homes, long-term care centres or with community agencies providing Home Care services to clients. 

There are both full and part-time employment opportunities for graduates of the Personal Support Worker program, and it is not uncommon for part-time workers to have more than one job within the field.

Working as a PSW in health care may require shift work, including weekends.  Rates of pay can vary depending on whether you are employed by a private or publicly-funded health care organization.

Many health care workers pursue higher education to further advance in their career. Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley also offers the Practical Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, and a variety of continuing education courses through its night classes.

The PSW program has evolved from the original 22-week PSW certificate started in 1999, to the current 31-week certificate which began in the fall of 2005.  The present day program includes English/Communications and Sociology.  In addition, students study anatomy and physiology throughout the program in their theory classes.

The changes to the program curriculum better prepare today’s Personal Support Workers for the skills they will require in their careers.  It has also allowed graduates to take on a more responsible role in providing care to clients.

EMPLOYMENT:  See links to several health care agencies on the Partnerships page. 

 
Practice Labs: The above photos show PSW students practicing their skills with each other and nursing lab 'patient' mannequins during a practice lab.  Under the guidance of an instructor, they learn to take vital signs, provide colostomy and catheter care, and numerous other hands-on techniques which they will perform on a regular basis in their work.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Sheila Clarke, Program Co-ordinator

613-735-4700, Ext. 2775

or Apply on-line at:  Ontariocolleges.ca